ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Zhu's "neck seven needles" in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Method Ninety-six patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were randomized to two groups. The treatment group received Zhu's "neck seven needles" therapy and the control group, cervical vertebra traction therapy. Both groups were treated once every other day, for a total of 10 days. The symptoms were scored using the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) before and after treatment. Result The SF-MPQ-2 score decreased significantly in both groups of patients after treatment compared with before. It decreased more in the treatment group than in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The total efficacy rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion Zhu's "neck seven needles" is clinically more effective than conventional cervical vertebra traction in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.